1. C 大臣，部长 person at the head of a government department or a main branch of one
2. C 公使，外交使节 person, usually of lower rank than an ambassador, representing his government in a foreign country
3. C 牧师 Christian clergyman, especially in the Presbyterian and some
　Nonconformist churches

　accredit a ～　任命公使
　foreign ～　外交部长
　the Prime M-　首相
　vice ～　副部长
　cabinet ～　内阁部长
　interior ～　内政部长
　～ for　…的部长
　～ from　派出的公使
　～ in　驻…的公使
　～ of　…的部长
　～ to　驻…的公使
　the M- for Foreign Affairs　外交部长
　the M- for Home Affairs　内务部长
　the M- of Defence　国防部长
　the M- of Education　教育部长
　the M- of Foreign Affairs　外交部长

　The minister was assaulted by a barrage of abuse from the angry strikers.　这位部长遭到愤怒的罢工者的一阵辱骂。
　The minister cited the latest crime figures as proof of the need for more police.　部长引用最新犯罪数字来证明需要更多的警察。
　The two ministers didn't close with each other until near the end of the meeting.　两位部长直到会议结束时才达成协议。
　The prime minister was hard hit by a biographer.　首相受到一位传记作家的抨击。
　Our Prime Minister is visiting France now.　我们的首相正在访问法国。
　His Majesty's ministers remained loyal to him.　国王陛下的大臣们继续效忠于他。
　When it was proved that the minister had been dishonest, he was divested of his office, rank and honours.　当那个大臣曾经失职被证实时，他的官职、官阶和荣誉被剥夺了。
　The king met his ministers.　国王接见了他的大臣。
　A contest developed for the position of minister of foreign affairs.　一场争夺外交使节职位的角逐展开了。
　Mr. Guan was appointed Chinese Minister to Moscow.　关先生被任命为中国驻莫斯科公使。
　A minister or a priest is considered a guardian of faith.　牧师和教士被认为是信仰的护卫者。

 ♣ minister, priest, vicar
　这三个词都可表示“牧师”。其区别在于：基督教的牧师用minister；而罗马天主教的牧师用priest；英国国教的牧师用vicar. 例如：
　The minister begged the worshippers to strive against evil.　牧师要求信徒们与邪恶斗争。
　The priest wore a coarse woollen garment next to his skin.　牧师最里面穿了一件粗糙的毛衣。
　Marriage by a vicar is lawful in England without another ceremony.　在英国，由牧师证婚的婚姻即使没有别的仪式也是合法的。

1. 他是我们国家的首相。
　［误］ He is a Prime Minister of our country.
　［正］ He is the Prime Minister of our country.
　［析］ the Prime Minister表示“首相”这一职位， the不可用a代替。
2. 一位牧师被召到奄奄一息的病人床边。
　［误］ Minister has been summoned to the bedside of the dying patient.
　［正］ A minister has been summoned to the bedside of the dying patient.
　［析］ 表示“一位牧师”用a minister，其中a不可省略。

　vi.　辅助；服侍 give help or service

　～ carefully　认真地照顾
　～ to　帮助，服侍

　He became a rector of a small parish where he ministered for several years.　他成为一个小教区的教区长，在那里主事了几年圣事。

 ♣ minister to　(v.+prep.)
　帮助，服侍　give help; service
　I ministered to him in his last hours.　他临终时我在旁边侍候。
　A nurse ministers to the sick.　护士服侍病人。
　Those who minister to others are happier than those who think only of themselves.　给别人援助的人比只想到自己的人更幸福。
　He often ministers to a sick man's wants.　他经常服侍病人以满足他们的需要。
　It will minister to our needs.　这将有助于我们的需要。
　The warm-hearted nurses carefully minister to the needs of the wounded soldiers at the hospital.　热情的护士们认真照顾医院里的伤员，满足他们的需要。

　［同义词］ n. administrator, agent, ambassador, official, servant v. accommodate, attend, cater to, nurse, serve
　［词源］　中古英语<古法语ministre<拉丁语minister（仆人，小人）